October

[glaconman]

Bradford 10 Mile City Run - 18th October - Hilly

The topograhy of Bradford is like that of a bowl. Whichever direction you move in, from the centre, you encounter a hill. The City Run is no-doubt part of a bigger plan and, in the first instance, it's a dry-run for a potential marathon next year. And if this race is anything to go by it will be tough encounter.

The marathon will consist of 5 loops, with each loop visiting a different Victorian park, and each loop coming back into the city. Out of the bowl and back into the bowl. Many times. This race was 2 loops and hard enough. Interesting to see how they'll manage this constant influx and ouflow of runners from a logistical point-of-view.

And even though there may have been more intriguing races held today (races involving desolate moorland, picturesque settlements, pub doorways and free-beer even), I was glad to support this one.

In a tactical sense I overcooked this one. Again. That just seems to be my style. I ran hard and well to the end of mile 8. I just about managed to hold some form in mile 9. But the wheels really came off over the last mile and I began to sink backwards. At the time it feels hopeless and hard-to-bear.

But the cold figures tell a different story. 10 miles in 66 minutes. 43rd out of 548 runners. 7th in my age category. If you'd have told me I'd be running this well 9 months ago I'd have had to laugh. The following day I got a call from the club and was asked to run the final leg in a 50 mile team relay. You run in pairs and the other guy runs a half marathon in 1:22. No pressure then.

As somebody once so consistently pointed out: If you are holding onto a rising balloon you are presented with a difficult political decision - let go while you've still got the chance or hold onto the rope and continue getting higher. That's politics man.